Max lesser



'(No M0de1.) M. LESSER.

BRIDLE BIT- No. 526,241. Patented Sept. 18,1894.

INVENTOH UNITED a STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MAX LESSER, OF DUN OANSBY, MISSISSIPPI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF 'IO ISAAC WOLF, OF SAME PLACE. h

BRIDL E-BIT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 526,241, dated September 18, 1894. Application filed une 7,1894- Serial No. 513|777I N model.

of Mississippi, have invented a new and Improved Bit, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved bit, which is comparatively simple and durable in construction, and arranged to permit of conveniently managing an unruly animal, and to prevent him from breaking loose whenhitched to a post.

The invention consists in certain parts and details, and combinations of the same, as will be hereinafter fully described and then pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improvement. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the same, on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse section of part of the improvement, on

the line 3,3 of Fig. 2.

The improved bit is provided with the cheek pieces A A, formed at their upper ends with the usual loops A A for connection with the over-draw to support the bit on'the head of the animal. The cheek pieces A and A are connected with each other by a rigid mouthbar B, formed at or near its middle with a crank B, the said mouth-bar being formed with a groove throughout its length to receive an auxiliary mouth-bar O, likewise provided at or near its middle with a crank 0 adapted to fit into the curved groove in the crank B. This auxiliary mouth bar 0 is normally concealed in the groove of the main mouth bar B, and is formed at its ends with trunnions 0 j ournaled in suitable bearings in the cheek pieces A A.

Near the ends of the mouth bar 0 are secured or formed the crank arms D D, pivotally connected by links E E respectively, with the slides F F respectively, fitted to slide on the inside of the cheek pieces A and A respectively. The lower ends of the slides F F carry transversely extending pivot pins G G, respectively, passingjthrough vertically extending slots A formed in the cheek pieces A and A, the outer ends of the said pivots G G carrying the rein buckles H H respectively, on which the reins are fastened.

The pivots GG are pressed on at their under sides bya spring I, supported on a lug A formed'on the lower ends of the cheek pieces A and A, as will be readily understood by reference to Fig. 3, so that the said pivots G G are held normally in an uppermost position, whereby the auxiliary mouth bar 0 is concealed within the main mouth bar B. The slides F and F are connected at their upper ends with the arms J 2 of bell crank levers J and J respectively, fulcrumed on the upper ends of the cheek pieces A and A respectively, the said bell crank levers J and J being provided with suitable loops J J on which the ends of the curb chain are attached. Now, when the device is applied on the head of an animal, and a strong pull is exerted on the reins, then the slides F and F will be pulled downward against the tension of the springs I, so that the links E and t exert a pull on the crank arms D D, respectively, to swing the auxiliary mouth-bar O to throw the crank O in contact with the roof of the animals mouth, to open the mouth and thus enable the operator to manage a wild or unruly horse. It is understood that when such a heavy pull is exerted on the reins, the curb chain connected with the bell crank levers J and J is drawn tightly against the animals lower jaw, so as to cause the slides F and F to slide on the cheek pieces and to actuate the auxiliary mouth bar as previously explained. It will also be seen that when an animal is hitched to a post or other place, and he tries to break away from the post, then the hitching strap or reins connected with the buckles H or H cause a sliding of the slides F or F to actuate the auxiliary mouth bar and throw the latter against the roof of the animals mouth so as to prevent the animal from breaking loose. It is understood that as soon as the pull is released on the buckles H or H, the springs I will force the pivots G G back to their normal positions so that the slides F F move upward, and by the links E E acting on the arms D D, cause a closing of the auxiliary mouth bar 0, to again swing the latter back into the concealing groove in the main mouth-bar B. The buckles H H are so arranged as to permit a convenient connection with the reins and prevent the latter from becoming tangled up when the reins are thrown over the animals head.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A bit comprising the cheek pieces, the main mouth bar cranked between its ends and provided throughout its length with a surface groove, an auxiliary mouth bar pivoted in the cheek pieces having a crank between its ends and lying wholly within the said groove throughout its length, and operating cranks at the ends of the auxiliary mouth bar, substantially as described.

2. A bit comprising cheek pieces, a main cranked mouth bar, an auxiliary pivoted cranked mouth bar lying'face to face with the main bar and having cranks at its ends, slides on the cheek pieces linked to the said end cranks, and levers pivoted to the upper ends of the cheek pieces and slides, substantially as described.

3. A bit comprising the cheek pieces having longitudinally slotted lower ends, a main cranked mouth bar connecting the cheek pieces between their ends, a pivoted cranked mouth bar lying face to face with the main bar and having end cranks, spring pressed slides on the cheek pieces linked to the said end cranks, levers pivoted to the upper ends of the cheek pieces and slides, pins extending through the lower ends of the slides and through said slots and buckles mounted on the said pins, substantially as described.

4:. A bit, comprising cheek pieces, a main mouth bar connecting the cheek pieces with each other, and formed with a groove, and a crank at or near its middle, an auxiliary mouth bar journaled in the said cheek pieces and having a crank, the said auxiliary mouth bar being normally concealed in the groove of the said main mouth bar, slides fitted on the cheek pieces and connected with the reins andwith the said auxiliary mouth bar, to impart a swinging motion to the latter, and bell crank levers connected with the said slides and with the curb chain of the bit, substantially as shown and described.

5. A bit, comprising cheek pieces, a main mouth bar connecting the cheek pieces with each other and formed with a groove, and a crank at or near its middle,an auxiliary mouth bar journaled in the said check pieces and having a crank, the said auxiliary mouth bar being normally concealed in the groove of the said main mouth bar, slides fitted on the cheek pieces and connected with the reins and with the said auxiliary mouth bar, to impart a swinging motion to the latter, bell crank 10- vers connected with the said slides and with the curb chain of the bit, and springs pressing on the said slides, to hold the latter in a normal position, substantially as shown and described.

MAX LESSER. Witnesses:

J. H. 00X, WM. F. WESOOTT. 

